SANTA CRUZ — A 20-year-old UC Santa Cruz student was struck by a vehicle and critically injured early Sunday morning as she walked home from a Halloween party with friends.

The victim was struck as she crossed Highway 1 between River Street and Mission Street — just south of the railroad tracks — shortly before 2 a.m., according to police spokeswoman Joyce Blaschke. She was not in a crosswalk at the time of the collision.

The vehicle, described as a 2010-2011 silver Honda CRV, fled the scene without stopping, Blaschke said. Investigators are asking the community to be on the lookout for a vehicle of that description with damage to the passenger side front bumper.

“If you have noticed anything unusual about a similar vehicle matching the description in your neighborhoods, workplaces and parking lots, please report it,” Blaschke said.

The victim was transported to a Bay Area trauma center in critical condition.

Santa Cruz police ask anyone with information to call investigations at 831-420-5820, the anonymous tip line at 831-420-5995 or leave a tip at santacruzpolice.com or by the mobile application at m.santacruzpolice.com.